Cigar Weekly

El Laguito · 12-01-2005, 03:08 AM

I was reading somewhere else and came across something that made me stop and think.

Someone was soliciting peoples' experineces between Booker's & George T. Stagg. It's interesting because I've always sort of viewed Booker's as over-priced whereas G.T. Stagg I've felt was reasonably priced for what it is.

Anyway the nature of the other discussion was how the two price in various regions. Are there actually regions in the US (or anywhere) where Booker's is priced signifcantly lower than Stagg?

Where I am, Stagg holds a slight advantage in shelf price.

parshooter · 12-01-2005, 04:40 AM

What are the prices where you live? I don't know what Booker's goes for, but Stagg is generally around $45. I think Booker's should be lower priced than Stagg because it is bottled and available year round, where as Stagg is bottled only once (except for 2005) a year.

sevenmag · 12-01-2005, 04:43 AM

I can't speak for regions, but I'll tell you this. Booker's is supposed to retail higher than Stagg. MSRP on Stagg is supposed to be lower than Booker's but I've never seen nor heard of it actually being priced lower on the shelves.

I'd gladly pay more for Stagg than Booker's. It is after all, higher proof, maybe twice as old and tates better. I really like Booker's, but Stagg is in another league IMO.

madal · 12-01-2005, 06:58 AM

I will have to investigate. Running a bit low, and going to NH this weekend

Curmudgeon · 12-01-2005, 07:01 AM

Stagg and Booker's are both around $45, here in California, though I've seen Booker's sell for $40, from time-to-time. Stagg's a much better value, in my mind. It tastes much better and it's about twice as old, which means that---between evaporative losses and storage costs---it is much more costly to produce.

El Laguito · 12-01-2005, 07:12 AM

Out this way if you can find it on the shelf I've seen the current release running $46-$49.99, although I've seen it advertised as well from a reputable retailer that usually is considered a discount outlet advertising it for $59.99.

Curmudgeon: (according to your profile you're in N. California - right?), curious where you've found Booker's as low as $40? Maybe not discussable in open but I don't recall seeing Booker's under $45.

In previous times when Stagg was (2003) $37.99 -$41.99 and (2004 + 05 Spring) $41.99- $44.99 Booker's was always higher retail and from what I understand lists higher as far as what merchants are charged by the State distributors in Califonia.

I do agree with the sentiments that Stagg's limited availability, higher proof and age adds to it's lure over Booker's, sadly it also allows price tinkering without excessive worry of consumer backlash.

Curmudgeon · 12-01-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Laguito

Curmudgeon: (according to your profile you're in N. California - right?), curious where you've found Booker's as low as $40? Maybe not discussable in open but I don't recall seeing Booker's under $45.

I have no problem discussing it in the open; I've seen it at Trader Joe's for $39.99. I haven't seen it there in the last couple months, but I've seen it several times over the last few years.

El Laguito · 12-01-2005, 07:34 AM

Ahh TJ's, that would adequately explain the price

Unfortunately I've never seen Booker's shelved at either of the stores I frequent, didn't realize they carried it at all. I sure miss the Rare Breed @$24 though!

Curmudgeon · 12-01-2005, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Laguito

I sure miss the Rare Breed @$24 though!

That makes two of us . . . well, I can't really say I'm missing it, since I still have a couple bottles I picked up when TJ's had it.

Oregone · 12-01-2005, 01:59 PM

We don't do comparison shopping in Oregon -- because we don't get Stagg at all.

I did have a bottle a friend purchased for me and I'm definitely in the minority around here; I'm just not that big a fan. It's too high a proof for me to drink straight, and once it's watered down enough so that it's in the same general proof range as other bourbons I like, it just isn't that special. Not that it's bad, mind you, but there are a lot of other bourbons I like as much or more that don't cost anywhere near as much.

YMMV, of course.

12-01-2005, 03:08 AM	#1
El Laguito Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 176	Bourbon? I was reading somewhere else and came across something that made me stop and think. Someone was soliciting peoples' experineces between Booker's & George T. Stagg. It's interesting because I've always sort of viewed Booker's as over-priced whereas G.T. Stagg I've felt was reasonably priced for what it is. Anyway the nature of the other discussion was how the two price in various regions. Are there actually regions in the US (or anywhere) where Booker's is priced signifcantly lower than Stagg? Where I am, Stagg holds a slight advantage in shelf price.

12-01-2005, 04:40 AM	#2
parshooter Herf God Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: St Somewhere Posts: 14,444	What are the prices where you live? I don't know what Booker's goes for, but Stagg is generally around $45. I think Booker's should be lower priced than Stagg because it is bottled and available year round, where as Stagg is bottled only once (except for 2005) a year. __________________ "I'm not drunk, I've just been drinking." Pat Daley #69 of the JLOH

12-01-2005, 06:58 AM	#4
madal Herf Meister Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Infront of the Monitor, behind Posts: 7,624	I will have to investigate. Running a bit low, and going to NH this weekend __________________ Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.

12-01-2005, 07:01 AM	#5
Curmudgeon Club Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,992	Stagg and Booker's are both around $45, here in California, though I've seen Booker's sell for $40, from time-to-time. Stagg's a much better value, in my mind. It tastes much better and it's about twice as old, which means that---between evaporative losses and storage costs---it is much more costly to produce. __________________ Which bourbon would be best before breakfast?

12-01-2005, 04:43 AM	#3
sevenmag Contributing Editor Herf Meister Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Charleston, SC. USA Posts: 9,864	I can't speak for regions, but I'll tell you this. Booker's is supposed to retail higher than Stagg. MSRP on Stagg is supposed to be lower than Booker's but I've never seen nor heard of it actually being priced lower on the shelves. I'd gladly pay more for Stagg than Booker's. It is after all, higher proof, maybe twice as old and tates better. I really like Booker's, but Stagg is in another league IMO.

12-01-2005, 07:12 AM	#6
El Laguito Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 176	Out this way if you can find it on the shelf I've seen the current release running $46-$49.99, although I've seen it advertised as well from a reputable retailer that usually is considered a discount outlet advertising it for $59.99. Curmudgeon: (according to your profile you're in N. California - right?), curious where you've found Booker's as low as $40? Maybe not discussable in open but I don't recall seeing Booker's under $45. In previous times when Stagg was (2003) $37.99 -$41.99 and (2004 + 05 Spring) $41.99- $44.99 Booker's was always higher retail and from what I understand lists higher as far as what merchants are charged by the State distributors in Califonia. I do agree with the sentiments that Stagg's limited availability, higher proof and age adds to it's lure over Booker's, sadly it also allows price tinkering without excessive worry of consumer backlash.

12-01-2005, 07:34 AM	#8
El Laguito Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 176	Ahh TJ's, that would adequately explain the price Unfortunately I've never seen Booker's shelved at either of the stores I frequent, didn't realize they carried it at all. I sure miss the Rare Breed @$24 though!

12-01-2005, 01:59 PM	#10
Oregone Herf Meister Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 6,545	We don't do comparison shopping in Oregon -- because we don't get Stagg at all. I did have a bottle a friend purchased for me and I'm definitely in the minority around here; I'm just not that big a fan. It's too high a proof for me to drink straight, and once it's watered down enough so that it's in the same general proof range as other bourbons I like, it just isn't that special. Not that it's bad, mind you, but there are a lot of other bourbons I like as much or more that don't cost anywhere near as much. YMMV, of course.